Ladera Ranch father of two Rommel Cinco is grateful that his heart condition, atrial fibrillation, sent him to the emergency room that fateful day in April.

He’s grateful that doctors, who tried to kick-start his heart back into a regular rhythm, decided to do a chest X-ray.

It saved his life.

They found a two-inch mass in his lung and he was diagnosed with lung cancer 10 days later.

“It was out of the blue but it was serendipity,” said Cinco, 42.

After removing half of his right lung in May, Cinco started his first round of chemotherapy in June. It has been tough, he said. He has lost his hair, feels nauseous, tired and has lost his normal sense of taste.

He credits Kristin, his wife of 13 years, his two sons, Ethan, 14, and Spencer, 11, as well as many close friends. And the community has rallied to help him on his journey to beat the disease. His friends have brought dinner, washed laundry and offered support, he said.

Amy Chilla from Crossfit Ethos has launched a Flat Rommel campaign, following in the footsteps of many fans of the children’s book “Flat Stanley.” Chilla created a paper doll of Cinco that travels the world.

“I have some amazing friends,” he said.

Flat Rommel has already been to Italy, Greece and England. And he has met tennis stars Venus Williams and Rafael Nadal, Cinco said.

On Saturday, participants of two teams – Team Hope and Team Crossfit Ethos – participated in the sixth annual Relay for Life in Ladera Ranch to walk for Cinco. The event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Despite finishing his third round of chemotherapy the day before the relay, Cinco said he planned to be there.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.